“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
     and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
Then call on me when you are in trouble,
     and I will rescue you,
     and you will give me glory.”
—Psalm 50:14-15 NLT

It was September 1989. I had just managed to fly from Boston, Massachusetts, to Stuttgart, Germany, with my two preschool daughters, a dog, a cat, and a ridiculous amount of luggage, all with no other adult helping me. My soldier husband greeted me at the airport, and I literally sobbed in relief that I was no longer responsible for “all this” by myself. We were entering a strange new chapter, living overseas and far from home.

We had barely settled. Three weeks after that arrival, my husband was informed that he would be moving on again. This time, I would not be following him. His unit was being redeployed to the Persian Gulf, and we should expect a war. Devastating. My husband was leaving to participate in a war that might kill or maim him. I could not speak German. I barely knew anyone. Didn’t have a driver’s license. We lived in stark, institutional, tall apartment buildings on a military complex. We were evidently deemed vulnerable to terrorist attacks because every time we returned from driving off the base, soldiers stopped us to inspect our car for any hidden bombs that might have been planted. Not good. Not good at all.

This was not a time when I was feeling particularly thankful. As it turned out, I did get my driver’s license, and Ray didn’t leave until December 15. However, the ripping of my heart that occurred when he said his goodbyes was beyond anything I’d ever felt before. I was so frightened and so alone. And yet … despite my very real sorrow, I came across Bible verses multiple times that told me to give thanks. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, tells us, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). Seriously? How could I be thankful in my circumstances? I love the way Asaph puts it in Psalm 50:14: “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God … ” (NLT). There are times in our lives when we have to make thankfulness a sacrifice to God. It doesn’t just flow right out of us.

A sacrifice costs us. Right? Back in Old Testament days, the people of Israel couldn’t bring just any sheep or goat to be sacrificed. They had to offer the best ones, the ones that could produce income for them. Those were the ones that had to be given to the Lord, the ones that “cost” something. When we sacrifice a dearly desired vacation because our elderly parents need us … when we drag ourselves out of bed at 3:00 a.m. because a tiny child has a nightmare … when we lay aside our plans because the kids are sick … we are sacrificing something we want for a greater good.

Guess what? When we offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, we are releasing what we want—to dwell and whine in our current misery—for a greater good. God doesn’t ask us to give thanks in all circumstances to torture us. It actually helps us. It pulls us from the immediate troubles and reminds us of the bigger picture. Here are some ways I found to give thanks when my husband was sent to war, and I was in a new country without many friends:

• I could still breathe, walk, talk, and move. I reminded myself that there were dear people in hospitals and nursing homes around the world who lacked the freedom to do those basic things.
• I could still see sunrises and sunsets splashed across the sky in riotous colors. Moments of beauty were all around me if I’d watch for them.
• Most of the people I loved were relatively safe—even though Ray was not. And my people loved me. Not everyone had that in their lives.
• I wasn’t in prison. At that time, there were Christians around the world—just as there are today—who had no freedom at all to see family or enjoy sunrises.
• I belonged to God Himself, who promised He would never leave or forsake me. I was never truly alone. Ever. He walked with me. He held me when I cried. No one and nothing could ever separate us for all eternity. I had God!

Reciting these truths was key for me. Did I feel thankful? Nope. Did it help me gain perspective? Oh, yes. And it transformed a sour heart into a happier one. Let’s trust that God’s commands to give thanks, even in awful circumstances, are actually good for us.

Oh, Father God, thank You for Your constant Presence. You are with me, whether I “feel” it or not. Thank You that someday I will step out of this old body and into a brand new one, and I’ll have the joy of looking at that tree of life and the gorgeous river that flows from Your throne. I’ll be in a strange new land that will be the truest home I’ve ever had. Keep me grateful, Lord. You’ve given me everything I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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